If you suffer from lower back pain that shoots down in your leg you may be diagnosed with Sciatica. Piriformis Syndrome is another common condition with very similar characteristics. Some shared common symptoms include: sitting discomfort, leg pain radiating down your leg, low back pain, burning through your buttocks down the back of your leg, and lower back and buttock tightness.

Both Sciatica and Piriformis Syndrome are caused by sciatic nerve compression. The two conditions differentiate when the cause of the compression is diagnosed. Sciatica is typically diagnosed using imaging tests such as MRI, CT scan or spinal x-ray. The typical causes of Sciatica found on these images include: disc herniation, lower lumbar spinal degeneration or other identifiable physical issues. (more…)